pieshop Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Hi there all, I'm quite new to poultry keeping but I have already run into a little problem.... I have two "hens" who think they are cockerels! One is a Lemon Porcelain Dutch bantam, and the second is a Orpington Jubilee bantam. I bought them together from an auction and pretty much from day one they have crowed like a good one (or two)!!! Unfortunately the neighbours aren't too happy; and I am very confused. Can someone please let me know if this is common, and if there is anything I can do to correct the problem? They are both pure breeds and lovely birds so I really don't want to have t get rid of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Hens can do quite a bit of yodelling themselves, generally when announcing an impending egg! However, if they are not yet laying, you may want to query if they are actually hens or are they cockerels? Have you got any pictures of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshop Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 I'll put some pictures on tomorrow so you can have a look. I've looked at lots of pictures on the internet and they defiantly look like the female of the breed, but they do have large erect combs. A more experienced eye would be much appreciated though. They are not in lay yet but are only approx 18 to 20 weeks old (if what I'm told was correct). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Females have been known to crow in the absence of a cockerel but its reasonably rare There is a far higher chance that they are males especially since they were bought at auction The Dutch should be easy to sex by pics on the internet as you say, the Orp will be a little harder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshop Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Thanks for the advice folks, I seem unable to upload any photos, but having done a little more research I think it's highly likely it's me that's sexually confused and not them!!! So unfortunately it's back off to the auction for these FELLOWS tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Oh heck. You'll be able to upload photos when you have racked up a few more posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshop Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 That's great.... but not much use for my current dilemma...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshop Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 Well sadly my fellers have gone off to auction I now have a couple of extra girls who I hope will fit in well... Mind you, it has to be said they boys were the jokers in the pack and i'm already missing them!!!! I think maybe i'll have to sell up and buy a house with no neighbours so I can have some more cockerels... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...